Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying an animal for which antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy is appropriate, comprising: a) collecting a sample from said animal; b) performing a leukocyte differential cell count on said sample; c) comparing said leukocyte differential cell count of (b) with an index of infection; and d) initiating antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy of said animal on the basis of said comparing step.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., a blood vessel, such as the vein, artery or capillary bed of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a test or collection device. In general, the apparatus comprises: (a) a body having a chamber formed therein, said chamber having an inlet and outlet, with said chamber configured to draw blood therein; (b) a hollow barrel connected to said chamber outlet; (c) an ejector operatively associated with said barrel; (d) a hollow needle connected to said body, with said hollow needle in fluid communication with said chamber through said inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into said chamber through said needle. The needle is optionally removed and blood dispensed from the body into a test or collection device by actuating the ejector.

Abstract: A microscope assembly for use in an automated microscope apparatus has a support frame; a cartridge magazine actuator assembly connected to the support frame; a subframe; a plurality of vibration isolators connecting the support frame to the subframe; an XYZ drive connected to the subframe; and an optical stage connected to the subframe. In some embodiments the assembly further includes a cartridge gripper connected to said XYZ drive. In some embodiments, the cartridge magazine actuator assembly includes an input element, an output element, and a transfer assembly interconnecting the input element and the output element, with the transfer assembly configured to linearly advance the output element upon linear depression of the input element.

Abstract: An automated microscope apparatus, comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in said housing, and configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in said outer housing; a microscope assembly in said housing, preferably in said first compartment; and a microprocessor in said housing, preferably in said second compartment; and optionally but preferably a heat sink mounted on said housing external wall, preferably adjacent said second compartment, with said microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with said microscope assembly.

Abstract: A collection device includes a base housing member having at least one chamber. A cover housing member has at least one aperture therein, and the cover housing member is configured to cover the base housing member such that the at least one aperture is positioned in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. The cover housing member includes a cartridge holding interface configured to releasably engage with a cartridge that is configured to cover and receive a fluid from the at least one chamber via the at least one aperture.

Abstract: An automated microscope apparatus comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in the housing configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in the outer housing; a microscope assembly in the housing (preferably in the first compartment); a microprocessor in the housing (preferably in the second compartment), and (optionally but preferably) a heat sink mounted on the housing external wall, preferably adjacent the second compartment, with the microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with the microscope assembly. Systems and methods employing the same are also described, along with component parts thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., a blood vessel, such as the vein, artery or capillary bed of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a test or collection device. In general, the apparatus comprises: (a) a body having a chamber formed therein, said chamber having an inlet and outlet, with said chamber configured to draw blood therein; (b) a hollow barrel connected to said chamber outlet; (c) an ejector operatively associated with said barrel; (d) a hollow needle connected to said body, with said hollow needle in fluid communication with said chamber through said inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into said chamber through said needle. The needle is optionally removed and blood dispensed from the body into a test or collection device by actuating the ejector.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for the rapid collection of blood from a subject (e.g., the vein of a bovine subject) and dispensing the blood therefrom into a collection device includes: (a) a capillary body having a capillary chamber formed therein, with the chamber having an inlet and outlet, and with said chamber configured to draw blood therein through the inlet by capillary action; (b) a hollow barrel connected to the chamber outlet; (c) a plunger positioned in the barrel; and (d) a hollow needle connected to the capillary body, with the hollow needle in fluid communication with the capillary chamber through the capillary inlet, so that blood can be rapidly drawn into the capillary chamber through the needle by the combined action of vein pressure (or other pressure, if present, such as arterial pressure) and capillary action.

Abstract: An automated microscope apparatus, comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in said housing, and configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in said outer housing; a microscope assembly in said housing, preferably in said first compartment; and a microprocessor in said housing, preferably in said second compartment; and optionally but preferably a heat sink mounted on said housing external wall, preferably adjacent said second compartment, with said microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with said microscope assembly.

Abstract: An automated microscope apparatus, comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in said housing, and configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in said outer housing; a microscope assembly in said housing, preferably in said first compartment; and a microprocessor in said housing, preferably in said second compartment; and optionally but preferably a heat sink mounted on said housing external wall, preferably adjacent said second compartment, with said microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with said microscope assembly.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid (e.g., milk) therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a (stationary or movable) carrier (in some embodiments in the form of an end cap, or connected to an end cap; in other embodiments in the form of an agitator in said elongate chamber).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying an animal for which antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy is appropriate, comprising: a) collecting a sample from said animal; b) performing a leukocyte differential cell count on said sample; c) comparing said leukocyte differential cell count of (b) with an index of infection; and d) initiating antibiotic treatment, anti-infective treatment, probiotic treatment, immunostimulant treatment, additional monitoring and/or a separate or alternative management strategy of said animal on the basis of said comparing step.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte (and in some embodiments two, three, or four or more different analytes) in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a carrier or agitator in said elongate chamber, said carrier or agitator having opposite end portions and a side portion, the carrier or agitator dimensioned to travel in said chamber along said length axis and/or permit said liquid sample to flow in the chamber therearound, either (or both) thereby agitating the liquid sample; and (iii) at least one anti-analyte antibody coupled to either the carrier and/or the chamber side wall.

Abstract: A microscope assembly for use in an automated microscope apparatus has a support frame; a cartridge magazine actuator assembly connected to the support frame; a subframe; a plurality of vibration isolators connecting the support frame to the subframe; an XYZ drive connected to the subframe; and an optical stage connected to the subframe. In some embodiments the assembly further includes a cartridge gripper connected to said XYZ drive. In some embodiments, the cartridge magazine actuator assembly includes an input element, an output element, and a transfer assembly interconnecting the input element and the output element, with the transfer assembly configured to linearly advance the output element upon linear depression of the input element.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte (and in some embodiments two, three, or four or more different analytes) in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a carrier or agitator in said elongate chamber, said carrier or agitator having opposite end portions and a side portion, the carrier or agitator dimensioned to travel in said chamber along said length axis and/or permit said liquid sample to flow in the chamber therearound, either (or both) thereby agitating the liquid sample; and (iii) at least one anti-analyte antibody coupled to either the carrier and/or the chamber side wall.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte (and in some embodiments two, three, or four or more different analytes) in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a carrier or agitator in said elongate chamber, said carrier or agitator having opposite end portions and a side portion, the carrier or agitator dimensioned to travel in said chamber along said length axis and/or permit said liquid sample to flow in the chamber therearound, either (or both) thereby agitating the liquid sample; and (iii) at least one anti-analyte antibody coupled to either the carrier and/or the chamber side wall.

Abstract: A collection device includes a base housing member having at least one chamber. A cover housing member has at least one aperture therein, and the cover housing member is configured to cover the base housing member such that the at least one aperture is positioned in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. The cover housing member includes a cartridge holding interface configured to releasably engage with a cartridge that is configured to cover and receive a fluid from the at least one chamber via the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A device for detecting at least one analyte generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a carrier or agitator in said elongate chamber, said carrier or agitator having opposite end portions and a side portion, the carrier or agitator dimensioned to travel in said chamber along said length axis and/or permit said liquid sample to flow in the chamber therearound, either (or both) thereby agitating the liquid sample; and (iii) at least one anti-analyte antibody coupled to either the carrier and/or the chamber side wall. Methods of using the device are also described.

Abstract: An automated microscope apparatus comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in the housing configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in the outer housing; a microscope assembly in the housing (preferably in the first compartment); a microprocessor in the housing (preferably in the second compartment), and (optionally but preferably) a heat sink mounted on the housing external wall, preferably adjacent the second compartment, with the microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with the microscope assembly. Systems and methods employing the same are also described, along with component parts thereof.